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"Finish Your Plate
or There's No Dessert!" |
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Directed by Guillermo
Del Toro - Written by
Guillermo Del Toro
Starring Ivana Baquero,
Ariadna Gil, Maribel
Verdu & Sergi Lopez
Distributed by
Picturehouse
Entertainment - 2006 -
112m - Rated R |
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I have to admit that I was sceptical. |
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Guillermo Del Toro's
latest film has been lashed with praise all over the world as one of
the finest films of 2006. You will find the film in virtually every
Top 10 List you stumble across. So why my hesitation? Well, Del Toro
has not been one of my favorite directors. His body of work up until
this point has left me rather uninspired. In addition, "Pan's
Labyrinth" deals in cinematic fantasyland... a world I am
notoriously disappointed with. I have rarely seen fantasy films
carry enough emotional weight to merit comparisons to realistic
drama. I usually find them too silly to matter much.
However, "Pan's Labyrinth" is a masterful blend of reality and
fantasy that manages to pack a visceral emotional punch. I am
shocked to declare that I agree with the lavished praise -- it is
absolutely one of the best films of 2006.
Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) is a young girl living in facist Spain in
1944. She is brought to a remote country outpost by her mother (Ariadna
Gil), who has married a vicious Captain in the army. Captain Vidal (Sergi
Lopez) is a ruthless murderer who is on the hunt for rebel fighters.
He will kill the innocent based solely on suspicion and he will stop
at nothing to have his way. He is to be the father of Ofelia's
unborn baby brother.
They arrive deep in the eerie mountainous forest and move into a
large compound, home to servants and soldiers. Ofelia instantly
finds intrigue and safety in the anonymity of the forest. She hides
from her horrible surroundings by investigating the depths of her
imagination.
While wandering through the forest, she stumbles upon a mysterious
Labyrinth. It is the resident of that Labyrinth who will beckon her
to complete three tasks which will prove her status as a rightful
princess.
Her journey, mirrored back and forth between her reality and her
fantasy, is as memorable and emotionally powerful as any in recent
memory. Once seen, you will never forget the plight of this young
girl.
Ivana Baquero is a revelation in this film. Her performance ranks as
one of the best ever from a pre-teen actor/actress. She is able to
convey the terror of a little girl amidst chaos and violence. She is
able to emote the innocence and wonder of a girl in a fantasyland
filled with amazing monsters and fairies. And she creates a truly
sympathetic character, simultaneously courageous and vulnerable.
There are many fine performances in the film. The one that stands
out is that of Sergi Lopez, whose evil incarnate rivals that of
Ralph Fiennes in "Schindler's List". His character is the most
horrific creature in the film.
Del Toro is in love with creatures. I am not sure he is capable of
making a film without them. However, in this film, he is able to
avoid the over-the-top action and tongue-in-cheek humor that
prevents emotional connections. In "Pan's Labyrinth" he manages to
add depth and meaning to the story through solemnity and a realistic
counterpoint.
The film meanders to a conclusion that had me in tears. I had no
idea where this film would ultimately lead. It is a powerful and
shocking final act -- one that the film earns and deserves.
"Pan's Labyrinth" is one of the very best fantasy films ever made.
It also happens to be one of the very best realistic films of the
year. Combined, those two achievements earn a spot in my 2006 Top 10
List. I didn't expect to say that -- which makes it one of the most
pleasant surprises in recent years. |
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© Written by TC Candler -
Email Me! |
Richard
Propes' Comment
The best
film of 2006 so far.
Jacob
Hall's Comment
n/a
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